Hi! I think Ron should write to Dr. Lieberman abot lipitor.  Theer is
someconcern that lipitor itself might be harmful becausesome people have
devloped PF after using lipitor.  First i would worry about your health and
not the bill.  I think he should see a neurologist.
    Raj
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**************
----- Original Message -----
From: "ds401" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2002 3:01 AM
Subject: Re: Cost of Care


> Ron McKay wrote:
> >
> > I do not know what treatment costs are, and believe there are many out
there that have more experience, and can help keep me informed.  I went to a
local General Practitioner to get a physical, and to see if there might be a
cause for my tremors on my right side.  He gave me the physical, and sent me
to the local hospital for a CAT scan of my brain, and a CAT scan of my nasal
sinuses.  He also sent me for a full blood check, that included checking for
Cholesterol status.  I had the blood drawn, and had the two scans, and
returned to his office.  He told me he found only a need to be on Lipitor,
but no other abnormalities.  He told me that my tremors could be from
natural causes, and not to give them any attention.  He recommended that I
stay with the Lipitor, and avoid going to any other doctors.  He told me I
could if I wanted to, but that he thought it would be a waste of my time and
money.  I received the $3,500 bill for everything that was done, today.  I
believe it to be
> > excessive, and need some feedback.  $280 for the two doctors visits and
the physical.  $293 for the CAT scan of the brain.  $277 for the CAT scan of
the nasal passages. $772.91 for the Blood Tests.  $1,670.36 for the
interpretation of the two CAT scans.  Is this normal, or have I been
scammed?  I still have the tremors, but at this rate I can not afford to go
on looking for the cause.
>
> Does ur GP know u have PD?
> Is this the only testing u ever had for diag. ?
> COSTS
> 1)If u have insurance, most of this should be paid for after u paid ur
> deductible of ur individual out of pocket expenses for the year 2002.
> Since it is October, good chance that u already met ur deductibles.
>
> 2)Call billing and make sure the right insurance info is listed AND that
> the insurance companieS were sent claims and when were they sent from
> the hospital, ect. write everything down.
> Average turn around is 6 months for billing and payments to begin to
> apply to ur account.
>
> 3)When u call ur insurance company-
> get name, ID, phone ext. or who u are talking to. write it down and the
> time. follow up with written correspondence.
> They can tell u when they sent the check and to who it was issued to.
>
> 4)U can call another hospital in ur neighborhood and ask their charges.
> There should be codes on ur itemized bill.
> ur insurance company pays the usual cust. rates. (80% u pay 20% unless u
> went out of network). Costs and coverage depends if u are HMO or PPO or
> indemity (rare) now adays. Look at ur new 2003 insurance coverage.
> Coverage percentages and deductibles have changed for private and
> medicare insurance's.
>
> MY PERSONAL COSTS FOR CT SCANS - without contrast of the abdom. area-
> $1370. 10/11/02. I haven't gotten the contrast one nor do I want to see
> the bill.  Urs is of the brain area and where u live matters also when
> it comes to costs.
> My brain ones are generally 1500. to 2000.
>
> full blood check?? I don't know what urs involved.
>
> cholesterol (sp?)-- profile ? ask for HDL, LDL, triglicerides (sp?),
> ect. Ask for the ranges. Ask about exercise and fluid intake.
>
>
> nancy
>
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